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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,910 Avg Student Debt
$76,152 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Amherst, our #1 best value for value in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Smith College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

3
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mount Holyoke College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,074. Early-career value graduates make about $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which ranked #5. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $91,834. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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